This is a discussion on Spinal Fusion L5-S1 within the Surgical Outcomes forums, part of the Spine Surgery Forums category; Susanna; I wanted to make sure I wish you the best of luck with your surgery tomm. From the sounds ...
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Susanna; I wanted to make sure I wish you the best of luck with your surgery tomm. From the sounds of it you are in the best of hands !! Everything sounds covered. Your doctor sounds amazing and has your best interest covered. I wish I had some extra words of wisdom but everyone here has you covered !! You have an amazing network of people that will be there for you and have your back. So breathe easy everything is going to go smoothly. I will keep you in my prayers as well.Take Good Care of You !!!
Caitlin aka Metalneck07
Back troubles Teenager-no specific accident ,DDD Lumbar Cervical-Arthritic Facets,etc.
Cervical Issues- alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram,myelogram
'07 ADCF C5-6 Surgeon closed shop left me with screws backing out 2months after surgery
'09 Revsion Surgery C5-6 3 screws had backed out, scarring connective tissue,fluid build up,NonUnion
'10 complete fusion and Hardware show no issues
Lumbar issues - DDD alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram verifies L4-5 and L5-S1 pain generators ,Annular disk tear,herinated disk both levels, Facet Hypertrophy
September 28,2010 On my 40th Birthday I recieved the gift of a new spine.My Prodisc at L4-5 and ALIF at L-5S1.
Thank you Dr.Blumenthal and Dr.Lieberman you are the BEST.
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Kathy,
My surgery is at around 2 pm, my time. That is 3 hours after central time. So when it's 2 pm here it's 5 pm there. I have to be at the hospital at 1:30. They said 3-4 hours for surgery. Lots to clean up. 3-4 days in the hospital. I hardly slept last night, my back is hurting so bad. So it is what it is. Thanks, I will covet your prayers! So much to do today, don't know how much I will be here today, but will check in before I head to bed!
Love you all so much!
Susanna
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Will do!
31 years old-
1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!
Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 5.5 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? All the best with what's ahead for you. I remember feeling very calm, with the belief that I was making the best possible decision. I pray you have the same sense of peace.
I'll be watching closely for some good posts!
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things. Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Thanks Katie!
I do have that same peace! I do know that I'm doing the right thing. I remember when I had my neck fused, I was convinced that I was going to die. Of course my doctor told me that there was a 40% chance I would die too, it was a bad situation back then. I was in pretty rough shape and they didn't know if I would make it. I was close to being dead by the time I found a doctor that believed that there was something wrong with my spine. But that's behind me. I have great surgeons now and they will do a great job.
I do feel a bit like I am going in to have my leg cut off but knowing in the long run it will be the best for me. Though that is a really bad analogy, because of course I won't be missing a limb, but rather, it's the pain that I remember from my last surgery that was so bad. That too was complicated by frozen shoulder.
It is a good feeling to know too that this is not just the first part of a two part surgery but rather the whole thing and I will be done.
Thanks for your well wishes. This time tomorrow, I should be in my room. And hopefully resting peacefully!
Susanna
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? For anyone that is interested, I will be at Alaska Regional Hospital (907) 276-1131
Ask for Susanna Mikkelson's room
Wow! It's tomorrow!
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Susanna,
Just around the corner.
I don't know if you can use this trick or not. I am widely crazy the time before surgery and get it all out of my body, checking everything, etc, but before surgery I am very calm. I kind of meditate and think of good things. Just getting out of disc pain is worth it and you are on the way to recovery.
Forget everything else now, the preparation is done, now think of how you are going to feel in the future.
I am excited for you.
Wish you the best.
I am sending PM too.
See you on the otherside,
R
DDD or DJD
ADR recepient.
Mother of four, advocate and insurance fighter.
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Knowing that you are all on the other side makes me feel so good!Thank you all that you will be there for me!
It is because of this group that I am ready for my this surgery.
Just need to pack a few more things, and get just a few more things in order, and off to bed.
I have a few phone calls to make in the morning to my mortgage company, and pain doctor, and then I will be off to the hospital.
Wow, it is incredible that this is really going to happen!
Susanna
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Susanna, today is here and your surgery is around the corner. I look forward to your posts on the other side. You are in excellent hands, and I'm not just referring to the surgeon.Cindylou
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Re: What kind of Fusion would be best for ME? Susanna has officially made it to the other sideHer friend with her at the hospital called around 1:15 AM (EST) so it was about 9:15 PM Alaska time and said she was still in recovery but the surgeon said everything went well and she is doing fine! I dont know anymore than that and its 5:30 in the morning there so I dont think its time to call yet
Congratulations Susanna, now just take it easy and enjoy the start of your new life.
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